NDLINK MONTHLY UPDATE

What does it take to have a thriving tech ecosystem in the Niger Delta? Tech hubs are the new buzz word for innovators and entrepreneurs across the African continent with investors pouring in money to tech start-ups, and here in Nigeria, there are a few well established ones. However, in the Niger Delta, challenges remain. We debated these challenges and offered some solutions on how to change the tech story of the Niger Delta. Read up on our post on it online and see how Focus Hub, one of NDLink's partners, is changing the story of the tech ecosystem in the region.

Have you met Ifeanyi Orajaka? He is the latest NDLink member we are spotlighting this month. Ifeanyi is a talented professional with skills and experiences ranging from systems design, renewable energy, installation/maintenance, business development, project management, GIS-based rural electrification planning, policies/strategy formulation, and conflict resolution.

Other news you may have missed on NDLink and may be interested in:

Our NDResources page is full of useful information that you may need for your development work. What can you find there? Reports on Strengthening CSO engagement in the Niger Delta, Corporate and Community Engagement in the Niger Delta: Lessons Learned from Chevron Nigeria Limited's GMOU Process, and Market Systems Development: A Primer on Pro-Poor Programming, just to name a few. Take some time to browse through our resources.
 

 

NDLINK'S NEWEST PARTNER - WECYCLERS
 

A Wecycler in action in Lagos

Wecylers is a social enterprise that offers households in low-income communities a convenient recycling service using a fleet of low-cost cargo bikes, essentially turning waste into value. Wecyclers motivates families to recycle plastic bottles, plastic sachets, and aluminum cans through their SMS-based incentive program.

For every kilogram of material that families recycle, they receive redeemable Wecyclers points oer their cell phones in return. Families can then redeem their points for goods that they value, such as cell phone minutes, basic food items, and household goods. Families receive collection reminders and rewards updates directly on their mobile phones making the benefits of recycling immediate.

Wecyclers currently operates in Lagos, a city of an estimated 20 million population, and an overburdened municipal government that despite its best intentions, collects only about 40% of city garbage and a mere 13% of recyclable materials are salvaged from landfills. Making a big dent  - economically, socially, and sustainably -- in the waste management business are certainly goals for Wecyclers.

When NDLink visited their recycling facility in Lagos in August to learn more about their business, we walked away wondering how do we entice them to bring their unique concept and business model to the Niger Delta. Read about our interview with Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, CEO and co-founder of Wecyclers here.

*Would you or your organization like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter? Send us a note at info@ndlink.org and we'll make it happen!!
 

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The Niger Delta Development Forum in Washington, DC and Asaba, Nigeria will hold on October 28 and November 17 - 18, 2015 respectively. Due to the limited seating space, this year both Forums will be by invitation-only.

NDDF Washington, DC: Generating Economic Development through Infrastructure Investment in the Niger Delta. Economic growth of Nigeria's Niger Delta is constrained by inadequate electric power and transport infrastructure. According to the 2014 Nigeria National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, an investment of US $2.9 trillion (NGN 460 trillion) is required over the next 30 years - an average of US $25bn (NGN 4 trillion) annually - to meet all of Nigeria's infrastructure needs. NDDF DC will seek to produce practical recommendations for infrastructure projects in the Niger Delta that take advantage of the vast investment opportunities that exist today. It will bring together a select group of investors, transport and power experts, development finance institutions (DFIs) and government representatives. Proceedings will will adhere to Chatham House Rule and are structured around a series of interactive panel-led sessions and roundtable discussions to encourage open and frank exchange of knowledge and views.

NDDF Asaba, Nigeria: Collaborative Efforts for Stimulating Investments and Inclusive Economic Growth in the Niger Delta.
The 2015 NDDF in Nigeria is a watershed moment in the Niger Delta. With the recent elections in Nigeria, there are shifts in leadership at many levels, including in at least five of the nine Niger Delta states. This offers a unique opportunity for this year's Forum to frame and influence the discourse, priorities and flagship initiatives in the region for the next four years - building synergy of effort around government and private sector investments as well as citizens priorities as we collectively move to explore the imperatives of inclusive economic growth and economic diversification in the Niger Delta. NDDF Asaba will seek to leverage the tradition of a value-added space where interested and committed development actors convene to take actions to promote growth while seizing the huge opportunity to influence the development agenda for the region.
 

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If you've missed past NDDFs, you can get caught up on highlights, reports, videos, and photos by visiting our dedicated global platform for NDDF. To learn more about this year's upcoming Forums and to request a special invitation, contact Ese Emerhi, PIND's Advocacy Program Manager at info@ndlink.org.